76 – To the Kingdom. (3)
Aris believed what Frach had said.
Frach had a knack for seeing people through even better than expected, and when asked for an impression of someone they had just met, they would give an accurate answer. And often, their impression would turn out to be right.
So Aris believed what Frach said about the Holy Maiden.
“Yeah. Could it be that the Holy Maiden is a tree…?”
There was still some lingering unease, but it had been a whole month. For the past month, they had to endure the contradiction of being in a comfortable yet uncomfortable carriage.
Now was the only opportunity to talk about it.
So she closed her eyes and shouted out. While Rúslan, Diana, and Jóhan were uncomfortably rigid, Aris tried her luck, gazing at the Holy Maiden.
“Uh, Holy Maiden.”
“Yes. Is there something you need?”
“Oh, no. It’s not that, but can we sit in a more comfortable position? I know it’s informal, but we’ve been exerting so much strength and it’s getting too difficult…”
Upon hearing Aris’ words, the Holy Maiden pondered something and her eyes shimmered.
Huh? Her eyes shimmered?
Aris looked at the Holy Maiden with that thought, and at that moment, the Holy Maiden spoke in an excited voice.
“You said it well. You can sit comfortably. No, you can even lie down.”
“Yes, really?”
The others also asked in a bewildered voice. Lie down? What on earth does that mean?
“Since there are no eyes to see right now anyway. The carriage windows are covered… I noticed that you were sitting uncomfortably. Moreover, I’m not a big fan of excessive formality either. Besides, if no one sees, no one can say anything.”
“But is it really okay?”
Unable to stand the discomfort, Diana asked with an alarmed expression, and Jóhan covered Diana’s mouth with a shocked look.
“Hey, are you serious right now?”
“Well, why not? You said you were uncomfortable too.”
“Well, even so, you’re the Holy Maiden…”
“You’re a priest, so it may be obvious to you, but the mage lineage can’t stand this kind of thing.”
As they whispered to each other, the Holy Maiden gently smiled at Jóhan.
“Father Jóhan. I am fine.”
“Thank you, Holy Maiden.”
“Since it has been a month. If the journey has been uncomfortable so far, it would not be enjoyable. I hope that the journey to the kingdom, which is a joyful one, will be a pleasant one as well.”
“If you say so…”
*Sigh*
Arisu let out a sigh of relief at the nun’s reaction. It was fortunate that she had calmed down. As of today, Arisu could once again confirm the accuracy of her observation of the people of Prussia.
In any case, it was obvious that the uncomfortable atmosphere was gradually dissipating. This was something that surprised her.
“What happens from now on here is all secret.”
Saying so, everyone turned their heads and looked at the nun, who was sitting on the bench of the carriage, laughing as she put her feet up.
“Aah, it’s comfortable. I was really struggling.”
At the sight of the nun’s unexpected behavior, everyone was speechless, and Arisu couldn’t help but let a smile escape.
“Phew.”
As soon as she smiled, the nun broke into a broad grin.
“Look. Are you already enjoying it? I hope this trip doesn’t become just a simple inconvenience. Anyway, everyone, please relax. You know, it’s none of anyone else’s business how we relax here. It’s basically a crime, right?”
“Were you like this in the country of saints too?”
Yohan’s question earned him a bright smile from the nun.
“Yes, I am. My companions know all about it. But they don’t say much, because I usually behave myself. However, I think it would be better to address me as your junior, Adrien, here.”
“Then, we will do so.”
Ruslan agreed to the nun’s request, and the nun, smiling happily, addressed everyone as her seniors.
Even Yohan, who had initially asked to be called by his name, could only nod his head in compliance under the nun’s authoritative gaze.
Arisu could see that the journey, which was supposed to be uncomfortable, had become more bearable, thanks to the unexpected turn of events.
* * *
“Really, I didn’t expect it to turn out like this.”
During the break, Arisu shared her observations with me. She was surprised by the nun’s unexpectedly lively personality, as well as her deep consideration and kindness, as Prussia had described.
Though I had initially set the nun’s personality, Arisu seemed to have assessed it correctly through her own observations. I had only added to her appreciation with my admiration.
“What, it’s because of that that I’ve lived. It was really hard.”
“I know. It seemed that way.”
“How about you?”
“I’m the same as always. I’ve just been sitting there, looking out the window. I don’t have much to do, so I’ve been sleeping a lot. But I’m not sleeping well now.”
“……What about Asti?”
“Asti’s the same. We’re just sleeping together. We’ve already sorted out all the misunderstandings.”
“Hmm.”
Arisu furrowed her brow, showing an attitude of not quite approving of something.
At that moment, Asti suddenly turned her head towards us.
“What story are you talking about?
“What happened today… What’s going on?”
“No, it’s nothing, really.”
Asti was clearly answering me, but her gaze was directed towards Aris. Here we go again.
She stared at Aris with a wary expression. It felt like she was a female cat in heat.
Perhaps Asti is keeping her guard up because she doesn’t like Aris approaching me. I’m not oblivious, so I could definitely understand why Asti would behave like this. After all, she has feelings for me.
It’s only natural. Who would like it when someone they have feelings for is chatting with someone of the opposite s*x right in front of them?
Asti lightly grabbed my arm. At that sight, Aris’s eyes seemed to flicker strangely. Why does she act like that again?
Asti’s actions and reasons are somewhat understandable, but I couldn’t grasp Aris’s behavior at all. What could be her reason for trying to approach the guy who wanted to rape her?
Honestly, I have never once imagined that the guy would approach me first.
Why would he want to get close to me?
With these questions in mind, I glanced at Aris, who was glaring at Asti.
* * *
Indeed. It’s annoying.
Since the last final exam, Aris has “disliked” Asti’s behavior.
It’s like she’s constantly interfering with my relationship with Prahr. No, not just interfering, it was clear. She likes Prahr.
It’s hard not to notice when it’s so obvious. No, there were already rumors circulating around the academy. It was said that Prahr, who had a strained relationship with Aris, had fallen for Asti.
Aside from not doing it in front of the parties involved, Aris also knew very well that Asti was treated as nothing less than Prahr’s lover.
Suddenly, regret surged within me. I hated my own late realization of my foolishness. That’s why I tried to reset our relationship and start from the beginning… I didn’t expect Asti to interfere to this extent.
My impression of Asti was always consistent. She was passive and couldn’t even speak properly.
However, in reality, Aris realized that it was all a façade. Look. Can a passive girl who can’t even speak properly look at someone with such animosity?
It’s not really strange. If it were Aris, she would have behaved like Asti. That’s why it was even more regretful. If I had realized my feelings a little earlier, then it would have been her sitting in the carriage with Prahr.
There was also a part of me that wanted to escape from the discomfort in the carriage of the Holy Woman, but in reality, her biggest goal was to ride in a carriage with someone like Prahr.
However, Prahr refused. It was quite a disappointing story for Aris. The reason he gave was valid. How could he squeeze himself into such a cramped space?
With a mix of disappointment and jealousy, it didn’t take long for those feelings to transform into a sense of jealousy. I wanted to grab Asti by her hair, but I couldn’t.
Because Prahr would dislike it. Prahr was someone who thoroughly protected only those who entered his sphere. So when Asti treated her carelessly, Aris could only look at her with that emotionless gaze from before.
That’s why.
Now was the time to smile, rather than glaring at Asti. My previous actions weren’t exactly commendable, but at the very least, there was a need to change from now on.
Aris thought that way, softened her expression, and smiled.
